Abrasive strip holder



I June 2 8, 1949. I I A o, OLAFSQN 2,474,546 I ABRASIVE STRIP HOLDER Filed March 26, 1947 Patented June 28, 1949 mum.-

2,4745%; n s e IHIQFPEB Alvin Q..( l afison, St. Paul, A p at on Mar h 7.: er al N9: 132 .4

12 Clai s. 1

My invention relates to an improvement in abrasive strip holders wherein it is desired -=to provide a simple and efficient device for holding a strip of flexible material such as emery cloth or the like.

It is the object vof the present invention to provide a means of supporting an .elongated .strip of abrasive material or the like sothat it may be used much in the manner. of a file. The strip of abrasive material is stretched taut over an elongated fiat surface. Means is provided .for clamping 'the abrasive strip in this positionso that it may be easily used.

A feature of the present invention-liesin :the provision of a holder for a strip .of fiexiblematerial which comprises anrelongated fiat supp rt against which the flexible strip is held and a handle at one end of this support. The handle provides a means by which the abrasive strip may be easily manipulated.

A feature ofthe present inventionilies-in the provision of an elongated support having a hendle at one ,end thereof and in so designing-the handle that it maybe .used to clamp .a strip.;of abrasive materialor the like tothe-support. The handle comprises a pair of clamping plates movably supported on the elongated support. In one position of these plates, portions of the plates are spread apart to receive the .endsof the .abrasive strip. Ina second position the plates clamp against the strip to hold thesame'firmlysupported.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provisionof a holderfor-a strip of abrasive material or the like which comprises. an elongated pair of substantially parallel clamping. strips-between which one end of the abrasive stripmay be anchored if desired. "Movable handle'means is provided for clamping these clamping ,strips together to hold the abrasive strip inany desired position.

A feature of the present invention liesxinlthe provision of a means of supporting .a-strip of abrasive material orwthe like in adjusted position. By merely moving .the handle of the support the strip may be clamped in place orreleased from clamped position. As a'result .ituiS possible to progressively use the strip.=of-..abrasive material :by moving the abrasive strip longitudinally when a portion .thereof: becomesworn.

These and-other obj ects and novel -featur-es of -my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth inthe fgllowing-speqfication and claims.

In the drawings-forming apart of my Zspecification-z Figure 1 is a perspective viewof my abrasive strip holder-showing the construction thereof.

Figure '2 is atside elevational view of the holder in position torecei-ve .an abrasive strip.

Figure 3-:is a view similar to :Figure :2 show.- ing the abrasive strip clamped inplace.

Figure his a view similar to -Fig-ure3 showinganabrasive strip clamped in a somewhat difierent manner.

Figure 5 isa longitudinal sectional view-through the abrasive .strip holder.

Eigurefi is a perspective view of the spring hinge connecting-the parts ofthe handle.

' -Figur1e !7 .is asectional view through the handle, the position .of the sectionbeing indicated .by. the :line :.'l'! '.of Figure -3.

The abrasive strip holder is of Simple constructionandin preferred form includes only four separateparts two .of which areidentical. As a result the holder is inexpensive to manufacture and to assemble.

An.elongated strip to .of metal .orrother suitable material is centrally bent at Ll to form .a pair of-clamping strips Hand 13. Thefreeends 14 and 45 of .the strip Lll are in contiguous relation when pressed together. -.'I.he.central bend l l iorms -a closedrconnecting end resiliently connecting rtheclamping strips l2 and I3 so that theym-ay spread slightly .apart .as illustrated in Figure 2 of .the drawings, or-may be pressed .together asillustratedinFigures 3,'4,.and 5.

filhe-forward-ends ofsthe strips .I-2 and [.3 ex- -tend.:,=in parallel-relationship.to awpoint spaced from the closed .end ll at .whichpoint the strips diverge apart. .or are .ofi-vset as indicated .at .45 and IT. From the point of off-set thestrips-l2 .and J 3 .are .providedtwithstraight .por-tions .I 9 and :20 which .inclineslightly-toward each other, .ter- =minating in.off-sets 2 Land-2&2, .respectively,.which .bring the strips intacontacting relation. Short parallel contacting .portions .23 and =24 are con- .nected .to .theoii-setil and 22 .andrearwardlyof =these. contacting. portions thestripsdiverge apart .as indicated ibyrthenumerals 25 andifi. :Slightr Iyd-Wergingsmced strip portions il and-29 con- 3 nect the diverging portions 25 and 26 to the closed end H. The diverging portions 25, 26, 21 and 29 act as cams or wedges as will be later described in detail.

The handle of my holder is formed of two identical clamping plates 30 and 3| which are connected by a spring 32. The spring 32 acts as a spring hinge to permit the plates to pivot relative to each other and to spread apart the forward ends of the clamping plates in one position thereof.

The clamping plate 36 is generally channelshaped in cross section and includes a top plate 33 having parallel side flanges 34 depending downwardly from opposite side edges thereof. At the forward end of the plate 34 an off-set 35 is provided which supports a clamping flange 36. As illustrated in Figure '7 of the drawings a pair of opposed flanges 31 extend inwardly from the side flanges 34 in opposed relation at a point near the longitudinal center of the top plate 33.

The handle member 34 is identical in shape to the handle member 36 and is supported in opposed relation thereto. The handle member 30 includes a bottom plate 39 having upwardly extending side flanges 40 on oppositelongitudinal edges thereof. An off-set M is provided at the forward end of the bottom plate 39 which supports the clamping flange 42. The clamping flange 42 is in opposed relation to the similar flange 36 of the handle member 36. As illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings a pair of opposed inwardly projecting flanges 43 are provided on the upper edge of the side flanges 40 near the longitudinal center of the handle mentber 31. The spring 32 is constructed as best illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawings. The spring includes a pair of arms 44 and 45 connected along a fold line 46 so that the arms 44 and 45 normally tend to diverge apart as illustrated in this figure. A pair of spaced ears 4'! are provided along the free edge of the arm 44,

these arms being bent to underlie a portion of the arm 44. A similar pair of cars 49 is provided on the free edge of the spring arm 45. The ears 49 are bent to underlie a portion of the spring arm 45 in spaced relation thereto. The arms 41 and 49 are designed to hook over the ends of the flanges 3! and 43 of the handle members 30 and 3 I.

As best seen in Figure of the drawings the spring arm 45 overlies the flanges 31 of the handle member 35 with the folded edge 46 of the spring extending downwardly along the rear edge of these flanges. The hook shaped ears 49 are bent to fold about the forward edges of the flanges 3? so as to hold the spring arm 45 locked to the flange 31. Similarly the spring arm 44 lies beneath the flanges 43 of the handle section 3|. The connecting fold 46 lies rearwardly of these flanges 43 and the hook shaped ears 4! hook upwardly about the forward edges of these flanges. Thus the spring 32 tends to urge the clamping flanges 36 and 42 apart and the spring serves as a hinge between the handle sections 30 and 3 I.

It will be noted that when the spring hinge 32 is in place connecting the handle members 36 and 3|, it extends between the spaced portions [9 and 2B of the clamping strips l2 and I3. The movement of the handle sections longitudinally relative to the clamping strips is limited by the length of the spaced portions [9. When the handle sections are moved forwardly a suflicient distance the forward edges ofthe spring hinge 32 engages against the off-sets t6 and I! in the clamping strips. Movement of the handle sections in a rearward direction is also limited by the oifsets 2i and 22. However, the rear edges of the handle sections engage again-st the out wardly diverging portions 25 and 26 and the slightly diverging portions 21 and 29 to clamp the clamping flanges 36 and 42 against the strips 12 and I3 before the handle reaches its rear extreme position.

The operation of my holder is believed obvious from the foregoing description. A strip of sand paper, emery cloth, sand cloth, or any strip of flexible material B may be centrally doubled as illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings so that the strip engages over the outer exposed sur-- face of both the clamping strips [2 and E3. The ends of the flexible strip are inserted beneath the clamping flanges 36 and 42 while the handle is in the open position shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. The handle sections are next grasped and moved longitudinally of the clamping strips. As a result the rear edges of the handle sections 39 and 3i are wedged apart by the diverging portions of the strips l2 and 13 near the closed connecting end ll, forcing the forward ends of the handle sections and the clamping flanges 35 toward the clamping strips 12 and 13. As a result the ends of the flexible strip are clamped between the clamping flanges 36 and 42 and the respective clamping strips 12 and I3.

In movin the handle sections longitudinally of the clamping strips it is usual practice to hold the handle sections in the hand and to strike one end of the clamping strips against a solid object. If the handle is to be moved from the position illustrated in Figure 2 into clamping position the handle sections are held in the hand and the closed end II is struck against a solid object. In releasing the handle from clamped position, it is only necessary to strike the free ends l4 and 15 of the clamping strip on a solid object while holding the handle sections.

In Figure 3 of the drawings a modified manher of holding the clamping strip is illustrated. In this arrangement an abrasive strip B is placed to overlie the exposed surface of one of the clamping strips l2 or l3 with one end of the abrasive strip inserted between the strips [2 and H3. The other end of the flexible strip B is inserted between the corresponding clamping flange 36 or 42 and the clamping strip. The handle sections are moved in the manner previously described, and the strip B is firmly held in place as the clamping flanges act not only to clamp the flexible strip against the clamping strip, but also to clamp the two clamping strips together. As the strip is used and becomes worn, the handle can be moved to relieve the clamping pressure, the strip may be moved longitudinally, and the handle again moved to clamping position.

As a result the strip may be progressively used. This is particularl important when only one small section of the exposed surface of the abrasive material is being used. If desired the ends of two strips may be inserted between the clamping strips [2 and I3 as illustrated in Figure 3, one strip B extending over the surface of the clamping strip [2 and the other strip extending over the exposed surface of the clamping strip l3. Both strips may be anchored in place in the manner described and adjusted in position whenever desired.

It will be seen that my holder is capable of holding any strip of flexible material and acts to stretch the -material tautly over the surface of the holder when engaged. My holder is particularly useful in holding abrasive material such as emery-cloth and the like "which is often "supplied :in strip form. Abrasive in strip form may be purchased in rolls and any desired length may be employed. Obviously a sheet of sand paper orcloth may be cut into strips if desired.

it will be noted that in moving the handle sections from the position shown in Figure Z to the "clamping position shown in the other figures, the handle sections are moved toward the rear end of the handle. As a result the clamping flanges tend to pull the flexible strip tautly over the surface of the clamping strips I2 and I3 as the handle is moved to clamping position.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my abrasive strip holder, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A holder for flexible strip material comprising an elongated support, a pair of opposed clamping members slidably supported on said support, said clamping members being hingedly supported for movement into or out of clamping position on opposite sides of said support, and wedge means on said elongated support engageable with said clamping members upon longitudinal movement thereof for hinging said clamping members into clamping position.

2. A holder for flexible strip material comprising an elongated support over which the flexible strip may extend, a clamping member longitudinally slidable on said support and hingedly connected thereto, said clamping member bein hingeable into or out of clamping position, and means on said longitudinal support engageable with said clamping member upon longitudinal movement thereof for urging said clamping member into clamping position.

3. A holder for flexible strip material comprisin an elongated support, a clamping plate slidably and hingedly connected at a point intermediate its ends to said support, and means on said elongated support for hinging said clamping means upon longitudinal movement thereof relative to said support.

4. A holder for flexible strip material comprising an elongated support, a clampin member longitudinally slidable on said support, said clamping member being slidably and hingedly connected to said support along a transverse hinge line intermediate the ends of the clamping member, and means on said support engageable with one end of said clamping member upon longitudinal slidable movement thereof to urge the other end into clamping relation with said support.

5. A holder for flexible strip material comprising an elongated support over which the strip material may extend, a pair of clamping members hingedly connected along a transverse hinge line intermediate the ends of said clamping members, means slidably supporting said clamping members to said support, and means on said support engageable with one end of each of said clamping members to pivot the other ends thereof against said support.

' 6. A holder for flexible strip material comprising an elongated :support, a pair of clamping membersonopposite sides of said support, means hingedly connecting said clamping members along a transverse hinge line intermediate the ends thereof, an aperture through saidelongated support through which said hinge *means extends, and means on said support engageable with one endof each of said clamping members to separate these ends to hinge the other ends thereof against said support.

7. A'holder for elongated strip material comprising a pairof clampin strips connected at one end and arranged in substantially parallel -:nelati0n,-;a pair ,of clamping members slidably supported on said clamping-strips. one of said clamping members overlying a corresponding clamping strip, means hingedly connecting said clamping members at a point intermediate the.

ends thereof, and means for urging one end of said clamping members apart upon longitudinal movement thereof relative to said clamping strips to urge the other ends of the clamping members against said clamping strips.

8. A holder for flexible strip material comprising a pair of clamping strips arranged in parallel relation and connected at one end, the pair of clamping members arranged on opposite sides of said clamping strips, means hingedly connecting said-clamping members, said clamping members being movable longitudinally of said clamping strips, and means for pivoting said clamping members upon longitudinal movement thereof relative to said clamping strips.

9. A holder for flexible strip material including a pair of clamping strips arranged in substantially parallel relationship and connected at one end, said strips being off-set near said one end to space the strips apart at this point, a pair of clamping plates arranged on opposite sides of said clamping strips, and means hingedly connecting said clamping plates, said hinge means extending between said clamping strips at the point where they are spaced apart.

10. A holder for flexible strip material comprising a pair of clamping strips arranged in parallel relation and connected at one end, a pair of clampin plates hingedly and slidably connected to said clamping strips, and means on said clamping strips for pivoting said clamping means upon longitudinal movement thereof relative to said clamping strips.

11. A holder for flexible strip material including a pair of clamping strips arranged in substantially parallel relation and connected at one end, said strips being off-set near said one end to provide a space between said strips at this point, a pair of clamping plates on opposite sides of said clamping strips, a coupling member between said clamping strips at the point where they are spaced apart, said coupling member being connected to both of said clamping plates at a point intermediate the ends thereof, and means on said clamping strips for urgin one end of said clamping plates apart upon longitudinal movement of said clamping plates relative to said clamping strips.

12. A holder for flexible strip material comprising a pair of clamping strips connected together at one end, said clamping strips extending in substantially parallel relation, an olT-set portion in said clamping strips near said one end to form a space between said clamping strips at this point, clamping plates on opposite sides of said clamping strips, flanges on said clamping plates extending on opposite sides of said clamping strips, inwardly extending opposed ears on said flanges, said ears extending into said space between said strips, a spring coupling member connecting the ears of one clamping plate to the ears of the other, said clamping strips being formed to engage against one end of said clamping plates upon longitudinal movement of said plates in one direction to pivot the opposite ends of the clamping plates against said clamping strips.

ALVIN O. OLAFSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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